Driscoll’s Child Life Program helps create emotional outlets and address mental health stressors felt by children and caregivers during their healthcare experience.
Every team member supports patients and families throughout their healthcare experiences by providing services to:
Play has a vital role in promoting a child’s growth and development. It allows for self-expression, enhances the child’s ability to cope with stress, provides for a sense of control, normalizes the healthcare setting and helps meet developmental milestones.
At the Corpus Christi Hospital - Playrooms are located on the 4th, 6th, and 7th towers, in Day Surgery and in the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. In addition, the 4th and 6th towers and the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center have Teen Rooms available for patients 11 years and older.
Children who have been prepared for healthcare events experience less fear and anxiety and tend to adjust more effectively to future medical encounters. Child life specialists prepare patients through the use of:
Each child is unique and processes stressful events differently. When a child is allowed to choose effective coping methods for a medical procedure, it provides a sense of control during their experience.
Child life specialists guide and support children through difficult procedures utilizing a variety of techniques such as:
The Child Life Department relies heavily on Child Life volunteers to help provide support and play opportunities for patients. Our volunteers are specially trained to work with patients and their families and are instrumental in helping make every child's stay at Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi a positive experience. In addition to supporting our patients and their families, Child Life volunteers help in maintaining clean and safe playroom environments for our patients. If you are interested in becoming a Child Life volunteer, please visit Volunteer Services.
Become a Child Life VolunteerChild Life Clinical Internship is available. Learn More
The Child Life Practicum is not currently being offered.
If you are interested in learning more about the Child Life profession, please visit childlife.org.
For TTY Deaf Messaging, connect to TTY Interpretation by dialing (800) 735-2989.
